Page 26 of Kane

Clearing his mind, he allowed himself the simple joy of the road. He’d had a lot of issues with the MC over the years, but riding had never been anything but a pleasure.

All too soon, they arrived back in Decatur, their lunch hour having stretched well past the ninety-minute mark. It was just as well. No one else appeared to be around either.

His eyes tracked over the house and the curb where the crew usually parked. “Did everybody make a break for it?”

“Nah. I think the new guy is starting today. He’s a friend of Cy’s. They served together in Afghanistan. I’m pretty sure Cyrus and Xander are picking him up from the main office where he’s finishing up his paperwork and taking him for his drug test. All the H.R. stuff.”

“A new guy? They’re not replacing Brick and Will.” He didn’t phrase it as a question.

“Oh no.” Robby swiped his clipboard from the pile of sheetrock still in the garage. He carried the thing around the site like a security blanket. “He’s an add-on. And I think we can thank Brick he’s here. It’s a big deal he’s buying the house on Burgundy. The company really needed the cash.”

The information didn’t surprise him. He’d heard Amanda ripped Xander a new asshole a few weeks ago about delays and how much it was affecting the bottom line.

“Between you and me,” Robby said quietly, “there was talk we might not even make payroll next week. But there is something in the works. I’m not in the loop yet, but I get the impression it’s something big.”

To take the company from not paying their employees to hiring an extra man. Yes, it would have to be something big. Maybe he should pay the visit to Mike he’d promised and get the low down. He really did need to go see his old friend.

He pulled his attention back to Robby. “That explains Xander and Cy. Where’s Matt?”

Robby flinched.

“Listen, I know you have a big-ass crush on the guy, but you have got to be able to keep it together when someone mentions his name.”

The kid’s face turned crimson. “Wow. Am I so obvious?”

“Yeah,” he sighed. “You are. But you’re not the only one who feels this way.”

Robby’s eyes grew as round as saucers. “You have a thing for Matt too?”

He buried his face in his hands and waited a moment. Two.

Aw, fuck it.

His shoulders shook, unable to suppress the laughter bubbling up inside him. It came up from deep in his belly and echoed in the unfinished garage.

He chanced a glance at Robby, but the guy’s befuddled expression only made him laugh harder until, eventually, tears streamed down his face. Pulling off the bandana he had wrapped around his hair, he wiped his cheeks with one last chuckle. “Thanks, brother. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.”

Robby scowled. Kind of like a tiger cub, he was all growly but without a threatening bone in his body. “I take it you donothave a thing for Matt.”

“No. I don’t.” He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to unsnarl the knots from the road. “What I meant is, we all have someone who makes us embarrass ourselves. For you, it’s Matt. For Brick, it’s Olivia. For me—”

“For you, it’s Ms. Griffin,” Robby finished.

Now it was his turn to scowl, though he doubted there was anything cub-like about it. Most people would’ve taken a step back, but Robby stayed cool as a cucumber.

“That won’t work on me now.” The kid had the nerve to smirk. “We’re family.”

“It’s not the protection you think it is. My brother Scott kicked my ass growing up more than anyone I’ve ever known.”

Robby ignored the warning. “Everyone heard the two of you the day she came and yelled at Xander. And you were fit to be tied the whole rest of the day. So, what’s the story? Did you break her heart? Did she break yours?” His words sped up with each question. “How long were you together? Did you love her?”

“Enough!” he roared, and this time Robby did take a small step back. “Stop. Please.” He rubbed circles into his temples.

“I’m sorry.” Robby’s voice was small, and he hated himself a little for making it happen.

He took a deep breath. “No. I’m sorry. Obviously, I’m still kind of fucked up about it. But I shouldn’t take it out on you. I’m sorry.”

Robby nodded, but he kept his distance.